Wire-rope block.



Nn.v7||,796. Patentedoct. 2|, |902.

A. s. TAnBox.

WIRE ROPE BLOCK.

(Application filed Apr. 24, 1902.'| (no Model.) y 2 sheets-'Sheet l.

WITHEEEEE: i

UNITED STATES `PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED B. TARBOX, OF CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS.

WIRE-ROPE BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,796, dated October21, 1902.

Application filed April 24, 1902. Serial No. 104,439. (No model.) i

To cir/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED B. TARBox, a

- citizen of the United States, residing at Chelsea, in the county ofSuolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful IImprovement in-Wire-Rope Blocks, of which panying drawings,forming apart of this speciflcation, in explaining its nature.

My invention relates to the construction of wire-rope blocks; and itconsists in a block so improved in the combination and organization ofits various parts that it becomes not only lighter and more compact inits construction, but of a superior strength and durability.

For a detailed account of the improved features of my inventionreference is had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspecification, and in which- Figure l shows the single sheave blockmainly in cross vertical section. Fig. 2 shows the same mainly incentral vertical section with theA sheave removed. Fig. 3 shows asingle-sheave block in horizontal cross-section. Fig. 4. shows adouble-sheave block mainly in cross vertical section. Fig. 5 is alongitudinal vertical section through the center of the block. Fig. 6 isa partial cross-section of the double sheave on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5.Fig. 7 shows an elevation of the block with attached free hook. Fig. 8is a plan of a portion of the lower end of the block, showing especiallya modified form of the dividing-piece.

Referring to the drawings, I will first describe my invention as appliedto a block having a single sheave and as represented specifically inFigs. l, 2, and 3. A A represent the side pieces or cheeks of the block.They are made of any suitable material, but preferably of caststeel.Beyond the line which marks their mean periphery each cheek has the topand bottom extensions, respectively, a, a. Placed between theseextensions and separating the cheeks at this point are thedividingpieces c2 a3, which have holes in them through which rivets 0.4may extend and be headed against the outside of the separated cheeks.These dividing-pieces are made comparatively thin, but are of sufiicientwidthto separate the two cheeks, so that there is formed the sheave-inclosing chamber, in which may be journaled the sheave B. The cheeksare made concaved in their formation, curving in to guard the edges ofthe inclosed sheave. (See Fig. 3.) The advantages of this constructionare increased by the annular rib or bead a5, integrally cast with thecheek-pieces and which extends inwardly sufciently to guard the outeredge or rim of the sheave and prevent the fraying and breaking of thestrands of the Wire rope by riding upon the edge of the sheave. It alsoholds the rope in place and eliminates any possibility of its riding offthe sheave to become cramped between it andthe sides of the block. Italso reinforces and strengthens the vcheeks or side plates at thispoint. Through the center of each cheek passes the sheave-pin or axle B,its headed endl) and nut h' resting against the sides of the respectivecheeks and contained within the cavities a, which are formed by thecasting. The cheeks are made relatively thick at this point to provide,primarily, a strong bearing for the sheave-pin and also tofurnishsufcient stock to receive the key b2, which is attached to thehead of the sheave-pin and which is received in the slot a? of thebearing as the bolt is inserted. This key b2 holds the sheavepin againstany possibility of rotation and provides a fixed axle, on which thesheave may turn. The cheek-pieces A A are also reinforced at this point,that they may offer a surface bearing to the hook or shacklestrap C. Itwill be observed, particularly by reference to Figs. 1 and 2, that thisstrap C, of whose functions a more detailed description willhereinafterbe made, has a connecting head-bar c and the two arms c c2, which extenddiametrically across the inner surfaces of the cheeks, between them andthe inclosed sheave, and through which the sheavepin passes. Inasmuch asthe cheek-pieces are concaved, the two arms of the strap do not restagainst them along their entire inner surface, but have a bearing attheir center at the pointsas. The arms of the strap also bear alongsidethe cheek sides at the points a 0.10. Naturally the arms of the strapwould come in contact with the narrowing cheek sides as they concave into present the sheave.

the headed guard beyond the periphery of This, however, is provided forby so casting each side piece that it may extend out and around therespective arms of the strap when in place, and so provide mortisedrecesses, as it were, et 0,12, (see Fig. 8,) into and along which thearms may extend and lie. By this construction the continuity of thecasting of the cheek-pieces is preserved and the arms ot the strapretained in permanent position. Furthermore, by so doing the block isgiven a compactness which could hardly otherwise be obtai ned.

The block is adapted to have a sti swivelhook, a shackle, or a loosehook attached to it, or, rather, the strap C, through which theconnection is made. The strap C is made quite heavy in order to bear thegreat strain which comes upon it. The arms of the strap by extendingdiametrically across the block along the interior of the cheek y sidesgives them added strength, and in this connection it is to be observedthat the cheek sides of my block, backed by the strap-arms andreinforced, as they are, at their centers and along their edges by thereinforcing rib or bead before made mention of, although they are castcomparative light, take on a rigidity and strength sufficient towithstand the rough usage to which they are subjected. The same endpieces a2 a3 which hold the cheeks in divided position hold also thestrap-arms wedged apart, so that any drawing strain upon the strap willnot drawthe two arms together, so as to cramp the sheave. This may beseen by reference to Figs. l and 2, where the arms are shown as lyingsufficiently within the recessed sections a 1.12ct the cheek sides as toextend down outside the dividingpieces, which act as an inner bearing.Any tendency for the arms to bulge at their center is prevented by thesheave-pin acting as a connecting-bolt. The shape of the strap istherefore permanently assured. The strap extends but a short distancefrom the periphery of the block. This is especially true if a stiff hookbe used, as may be seen by reference to Fig. l, where the extension isno more than the width of the strap, the headed end of the hook beingformed in the cavity 0,13, made by the inturning of the dividingpiecea2. This practically brings the headed end of the hook within the block,which enables the hook to be set lower than has been common heretoforeand shortens `the length of the block. It is to be noticed in thisconnection that the extensions at of the side cheeks A A' are sufficientto provide a channel d between the dividing-piece a2 and the groove ofthe sheave, permitting of the free running of the wire rope. Forastiffswivelhook in order that a larger head may be formed upon the endof the hook to give it increased strength the cavity cl2 may beincreased in its capacity by bowing outward the strap-arms at the pointsc3, which is provided for in the casting ofthe side pieces A A byincreasing the depth of yits strap-holding recesses. The head also mayextend deep into the cavity als by cutting an opening 0,15 in thedividing-piece a2.

If a shackle or loose hook be used, as may be seen by reference to Figs.4, 5, and 7, inasmuch as the curvable connection is necessarily outsidethe block, the strap extends from the block sufficiently to provide aloop Q16, through which a connection may be made with the hook orshackle; also, when the connections are made outside the block, as withthe shackle or loose hook, the extensions a of the cheek-pieces are notso extended as they would be if the cavity for the headed end of a stiffhook had to be provided for, as before explained. The division orseparating pieces o, a are also alike in their construction.

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6 I have represented my invention as applied to ablock having more than one sheave, two sheaves being shown. Theconstruction of the cheek-pieces are the same as with the single sheave.They are separated, however, a sufficient amount to receive the twosheaves B2 B3, the arms c o2 of the encircling strap C, togetherwith thestrap C', and plates A2 A3, which'are interposed between the twosheaves. Instead of employing a single division-piece to hold the cheeksin their separated position, as with thesingle sheave, thedivision-pieces a2 a3 are made in two sections, receiving between themthe strap C and the interposed plates A2 A3. The division-pieces a2 asmay be of the form used in connection with cheeks inclosing a singlesheave; but I much prefer the form shown in Fig. 8, where the pieces aremade in separate parts a als, each part having practically the formationof a tube or sleeve, which not only marks the degree of separation ofthe inclosing cheeks, but through whose hollow interior passes the boltsc4, which bind the two cheeks together, and so form the sheaveinclosure. The form of the division-pieces shown in Fig. 8 may also beused, as represented, with a block having a single sheave. The plates A2AB when in position comprise an annular ring interposed between the twosheaves. Between them, however,passes the strap C'. The plates A2Asiextend at their ends sufficiently to lie between the dividingpiecesa2 0,2, and so are held in place by the bolts a4, which must necessarilypass through them. The plates are quite thin and have along the outeredges, extending from both sides, the sheave-protecting rib or bead c4.

The strap C is made relatively thin, thatit may extend with doublethickness through the-center of the block and at its end form the loopc5 inside the turn of the outer strap C. The sheave-pin passes throughit, so that practically it acts as a reinforcement to the Outer strap Cand also strengthens and reinforces the whole block along its center.

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For attaching a wire rope to the end of the block a bolt D is thrustthrough the side pieces and arms of the strap or straps. A

becket D' may be placed upon this bolt, about which the rope maybespliced. In order that free access may be had to the becket,a slottedopening d is cut in the dividing-piece a3, through which the beckethangs. In case the piece is made in two parts, as in Fig. 8, a freeaccess to the becket is of course obtained. By thus hanging the be'cketit is brought well up into the block, and the connecting-bolt D, uponwhich it hangs, by connecting the cheeks and the strap-pieces, as itdoes, adds to the strengthand stability of the entire lower portion ofthe block.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States- 1. The block herein describedhaving a shell comprising cheeks, with an annular sheaveprotecting guardalong their inside outer edge, and end extensions beyond said annularguard, and division-pieces attached to said cheeks between saidextensions,substantially as described.

2. The block herein described with cheeks concaved in to oder asheave-protecting guard along their inside outer edge,means for dividingsaid cheeks to form the sheave-inclosed chamber, and a strap the arms ofwhich extend alongside the inner cheek-surfaces to make attachment witha sheave-pin, substantially as described.

3. The block herein described with cheeks concaved in to offer asheave-protecting guard along their inside outer edge, means fordividing said cheeks to form a sheave-inclosed chamber, and a strap thearms of which extend alongside the inner surfaces of said cheeks to makeattachment with a sheavepin, and which straps are contained in andinclosed by the recess formed in the casting of said cheeks,substantially as described.

4:. The block herein described having cheeks concaved in to form anannular sheaveprotecting guard along their inside outer edges, and withend sections extending beyond said annular guards, pieces attached toand adapted to separate the cheeks between the end extensions, and ashackle-strap the arms of which are adapted to extend down 'outside thedivisionpieces aforesaid and alongside the respective cheeks to makeattachment with the sheave-pin, substantially as described.

5. The block herein described having cheek-pieces concaved in to form anannular sheaveprotecting guard along their inside outer edge, with alsoa central cavity for the headed end and nut respectively of theconnecting-sheave pin,said sheave-pin and means for retaining it in afixed position, substantially as described.

6. The block herein described having cheeks provided with endextension-pieces adapted to be inserted between the end extensions ofsaid cheeks for retaining the said cheeks in their sheave-inclosingposition, a

connecting-sheave pin, a strap, the arms of which make engagement withsaid sheavepin, and a hook adapted to be headed beneath the cross-bar ofsaid strap and within the block, substantially as described.

7. The block herein described having cheeks concaved in to oer anannular sheaveprotecting guard along their inside outer edge, and withend extensions extending beyond said annular guard, pieces attached toand adapted to separate the cheeks between the end extensions, a strap,the arms of which are adapted to extend down alongside the inner side ofsaid cheeks to make engagement with a sheave-pin, and a hook headedbeneath the cross-bar of said strap within the cavity formed in thedivision-piece, substantially as described.

8. The block herein described having cheeks concaved in to offer anannular sheaveprotecting guard along their inside outer edge, means forseparating the said cheeks and retaining the same in position, a strap,the arms of which extend down alongside the inner side of said cheeks tomake engagement with a sheave-pin, and which makes a loop outside theblock, substantially as described.

9. The block herein described having cheeks concaved in to offer anannular sheaveprotecting guard along their inside outer edge, means forretaining said cheeks in a separated position, a plurality of sheavescontained within said inclosing cheeks, division-plates between saidsheaves provided along their outer edges with a sheave-proteoting beador rim, and means for retaining said divisionplates in position,substantially as described.

IO. The block herein described having cheeks concaved in to offer anannular sheaveprotecting guard along their inside outer edge, means forretaining said cheeks in aseparated position, a plurality of sheavescontained within said inclosing cheeks; a sheave-pin providing a commonaxle for said sheaves, division-plates provided with guard-rims forprotecting said sheaves, with means for their retention, and strapsinterposed between and alongside said sheaves to make attachment withthe said sheave-pin and provide loops without the block, substantiallyas described.

11. The block herein described having sheave-inclosing cheek-pieces,provided with end extensions, dividing-pieces attached to and separatingthe said cheek-pieces between the end extensions, a strap, the arms ofwhich extend diametrically across said block outside said divisionpieces, a bolt passing through said cheeks and arms at their extensionsat the end of the block, and a becket suspended thereon within theblock, substantially as described.

ALFRED B. TARBOX. In presence of- F. F. RAYMOND, 2d, J. M. DoLAN.

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